How to choose a modern down jacket?

If winter doesn't warm you up, it's time to buy a down jacket! Those who will buy this clothing for the first time will probably ask themselves: "How to choose a modern down jacket, and where is it better to buy it?" We hope that our information will help you with this.

WHY A DOWN JACKET?

When it comes to coping with the harshest climate conditions, there's no better solution than a down jacket. Norwegians call it the king of clothing. In fact, they invented it back in the 16th century. Ancient inhabitants of the northern part of the country filled their clothes with eiderdown, which allowed them to live and hunt in subarctic conditions. However, it is officially believed that the first quilted down jacket was invented by the American designer and founder of the eponymous clothing brand Eddie Bauer in 1940 in Seattle.

The main advantages of a modern down jacket:

• Light weight.


• Excellent thermal insulation.


• Does not get wet and provides good air exchange without heat loss.


• Versatile, practical, durable.


• A rich color range and a variety of designs.

The only drawback is the price: the top made of natural down is expensive and not everyone can afford it. But modern technologies have offered a worthy alternative in the form of artificial filler.

To be fair, it should be said that jackets with holofiber, synthetic fluff or thinsulate filling are not considered real "down jackets". But today this has become a convention, since the term "down jacket" has become a household name for a whole group of outerwear that have common features (we have indicated them in the main advantages of down jackets). In addition, artificial down substitutes are specially created to "work" in very harsh weather conditions. In terms of thermal insulation characteristics, "synthetics" are in no way inferior to natural down, and in practical use even surpasses it.

Manufacturers of insulated jackets never hide the composition and ratio of the filler: it is indicated on the product label. Therefore, when choosing a down jacket, you can always find out whether it is natural fluff or its artificial analogue.

So, the first thing we pay attention to is the composition.

1. HOW TO CHOOSE A DOWN JACKET BY THE COMPOSITION OF THE FILLER: ARTIFICIAL OR NATURAL?

Considering that air is a poor conductor of heat, the main function of the insulation is to create a reliable air gap between the external environment and the body. Both fillers cope with this task perfectly.

Natural down - Down (down) is indicated on the product label.

Natural down is light, airy and holds a large amount of air inside itself. Its thermal insulation properties are assessed by the Fill Power elasticity index (also called the stuffing coefficient). It reflects the ability of down to recover after compression. The higher the value, the better the quality of the down. If the tag or label indicates a Fill Power value of 400, then this is poor quality down.

• From 400 to 450 - this is average quality.


• From 500-750 - excellent quality.


• From 750 to 950 - exclusive quality of down.

Unfortunately, manufacturers do not always indicate the Fill power value. In such cases, the indicator can be checked by eye: just squeeze a section of the down jacket and release - a good quality filler will allow the product to straighten out quickly.

Down can be mixed with feathers. The winter version of a down jacket is 80-90% down and 20-10% feathers. The demi-season version is 70/30 or even less: such a down jacket will not warm you in the cold.

The best natural down is considered to be the down of special breeds of white geese. The worst is duck down. In both cases, it is collected only during the natural molt of the bird. An adult white goose has only 40 g of pure down, and the bulk is made up of feathers. That is why natural down jackets are so expensive.

For those who do not want to overpay for natural filler, but want to become the owner of light and warm outerwear, a down jacket made of artificial filler will be a good solution.

Artificial down - on the product label it is indicated Thinsulate, Hollow fiber or Sintepon.

A down jacket with synthetic padding will last 3-4 years. A jacket with holofiber - up to 10 years. The service life of "thinsulate" is about 10 years. All three insulation materials are based on polyester fibers. They have the following advantages:

• Hypoallergenic, that is, those that do not cause allergic reactions.


• They retain heat perfectly.


• Lightweight.


• Have good air exchange.


• Do not absorb odors and hold their shape well: do not cake or bunch up.


• Can be stored folded or unfolded.


• Not susceptible to damage by field mites or fungi.


• Not demanding in care - hand or machine wash.


• Dry quickly.

Speaking of advantages, it is impossible not to mention the disadvantages. There are only 2 of them:

1. Artificial fluff hardly absorbs moisture, so if you dress inappropriately for the weather, a sauna effect is possible.


2. The material accumulates static electricity - antistatic treatment may be required.

All three artificial fillers we have mentioned have approximately the same ratio of heat capacity to density and weight of insulation. Therefore, when choosing a down jacket made of artificial filler, focus on the following values:

• 100 g/m2 can withstand temperatures down to -7C.


• 150 g/m2 can withstand temperatures down to - 15C.


• 200 g/m2 can withstand temperatures down to - 25C.

The next thing we pay attention to when choosing a down jacket is the outer material.

2. HOW TO CHOOSE A DOWN JACKET BY THE LINING AND TOP MATERIAL?

The most common option for the top and lining is synthetic fabrics. They are obtained from three main materials that have both their advantages and disadvantages.

1. Polyamide is a soft, elastic, but durable material. It is easy to wash, dries quickly and does not fade. The main polyamide fabrics used to make down jackets include nylon, taslan and Jordan. The latter "breathes" much better than nylon and taslan.

   Disadvantages of polyamide fabrics:

   • They get electrified.
   
   
   • They don't breathe (in the case of nylon).
   
   
   • They make a characteristic rustling sound when moving.
   
   
   • They don't retain heat well.
   
   
   • They get dirty easily.
   
   


2. Polyester - cheaper than polyamide, durable and pleasant to the touch. Breathes well, does not stretch, does not fade in the sun and is not subject to burning. With it, you can not worry about pellets and snags. Polyester fabrics include: polyester, microfiber, acrylic.

   Disadvantages of polyester fabrics:

   • They get electrified.
   
   
   • They breathe poorly.
   
   


3. Polyurethane - it is usually used to produce a substitute for genuine leather, the so-called eco-leather. The material does not wrinkle or deform in problem areas. It is less susceptible to abrasion and natural aging than genuine leather. Eco-leather is not afraid of moisture and is relatively not afraid of low temperatures.



The disadvantages include the dependence of the elasticity and strength of the fabric on temperature: in severe frost, eco-leather can easily crack.

In order for the fabric to receive additional protective properties, it is subjected to additional processing. And this is the next criterion that you need to pay attention to.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DOWN JACKET BY THE METHOD OF FABRIC PROCESSING?

Fabric treatment allows it to not let water and cold wind through. The most "ancient" method is waxing. Another, more progressive method is the use of various hydrophobic impregnations. And the most advanced option is a membrane.

The main advantages of membrane fabric are excellent moisture protection and good vapor permeability, that is, the ability to freely pass body vapors to the outside. There are many variations of membrane fabrics: Sympotex, Gortex, Cardura, etc.

The cheapest option is 2-layer membranes. But it is better to choose a modern down jacket from a 2.5 or three-layer membrane. This is more expensive, but it wears out much less.

For daily use, a membrane with the following indicators will be sufficient:

• water resistance 10-15 mm water column;


• vapor permeability - from 5000 to 7000 g/m2.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU LOOK AT WHEN CHOOSING A DOWN JACKET?

Length, shape, color, design features, design and details - all this also affects the choice of outerwear.

Length of the down jacket.
Manufacturers produce three types of down jackets:

• Short: the length of the models is 10-20 cm below the waist - can be used as independent clothing or as an additional layer of insulation. They go well with trousers, jeans, skirts and dresses.


• Medium: mid-thigh length - a good option when you don't want to add a coat to your wardrobe or a coat is not part of your style. Such people like jeans and midi dresses.


• Long: knee-length or below - a good alternative to warm coats or fur coats.

The choice of one or another option depends on a number of conditions, including: the climate zone (the region in which it will be used) and lifestyle. Those who often spend time in the car will find short down jackets convenient. In a cold climate zone, the most practical and comfortable will be medium and long models.

Down jacket shape.
There is also a wide choice of this parameter: rounded silhouette (oversize), straight, fitted and belted. The latter can be short or long.

Down jacket color.
For the city, universal colors are more appropriate: black, dark blue, gray, dark brown. It is very easy to combine other things with them. If you need to diversify your winter look, use light colors: khaki, milky, shades of beige. They look impressive, but are somewhat limiting in color combinations.

Remember, a bright down jacket is not a basic item: it will be difficult to use it every day. This can and should be in the wardrobe, provided that there is another one - in a neutral color scheme.

Design features, design and details.
Not quite standard models of down jackets always look interesting, for example, with fasteners in the form of large buttons or a zipper located on the side. Quilted models in a large check or rectangular blocks look rich. A small quilted mesh in the form of diamonds or squares is poorly “read” and loses out against the background of the rest.

Pay attention to the lining: in high-quality down jackets it is also stitched so that the filler does not bunch up. Fittings: all zippers should be fastened in one movement, without digging, it is good if there is a protective strip on top of them. The seams should be even, symmetrical and durable. Cuffs - double: elastic or adjustable.

Urban down jackets differ from models for active recreation outside the city. The latter have hoods without fur trim, a two-layer construction and a snow-protective skirt.

WHERE TO BUY A QUALITY AND INEXPENSIVE MODERN DOWN JACKET?

Of course in Freever!
Short and long, bright and not so, with a hood and without - in the online store freever.ua you will find a huge selection of models and textures for men, women and youth. Choosing clothes of the Ukrainian brand, you get a modern, high-quality, light and warm down jacket at a reasonable price.